CLINTON, NC – In a shocking incident early Thursday, five individuals were discovered dead from gunshot wounds in a residence located off Garland Highway, just outside Clinton, according to Sampson County law enforcement. Sheriff Jimmy Thornton confirmed that deputies responded to the scene shortly before 1 a.m. after receiving reports of a possible homicide.
The motivation behind the murders remains unclear, and authorities have yet to identify a suspect. Likewise, the relationship or connections between the victims has not been established. A distressing 911 call led officers to the crime scene. A concerned individual, after speaking with one of the victims around 11 p.m., contacted the authorities. Upon their arrival, officers found four males and a female, with ages ranging from mid-30s to the 80s.
Capt. Eric Pope, in a subsequent media briefing, expressed deep concern over the incident, emphasizing its rarity. “Such incidents are not only unusual for our locality but are also deeply unsettling for any community,” Pope remarked. The gravity of the tragedy has left the community in shock, underscoring the need for swift justice and resolution.